A reflection on knowing when to pause—and why it was the best thing I ever did. There are pauses that come from exhaustion—when life has worn you down to the bone and all you want is rest. But then… there are pauses that come from something deeper. Sometimes, you don’t hit pause because you’re tired. You pause because you’re done . Done being overlooked. Done shrinking to make others comfortable. Done pouring from a cup that no one bothered to refill. Done accepting breadcrumbs in spaces where you gave your whole self. For me, the hiatus wasn’t weakness. It wasn’t me giving up. It was the moment I looked around and said, “This isn’t it. I deserve better.” And yes, maybe I walked away angry. Maybe I had to burn a few bridges, close a few doors, and unlearn a lot of what I once tolerated—just to finally see the road ahead with clarity . And you know what? That’s okay. Because anger , when it’s not left to consume you, can teach you. It can sharpen your vision. ...